Though holiday-related decorations and products have been up in stores since the beginning of November (or earlier!), in Toronto, the “real” holiday season doesn’t start until the Santa Claus Parade.  First held more than 100 years ago, the 2009 edition will occur on Sunday, November 15.  This means that families with young children will be lining the streets of Toronto, watching floats decked out with magical characters go by.

I think I’ve only been to the parade a few times as a kid.  In the 80s, the parade was held a week later, usually, and the weather was often chilly.  Not exactly the best place for a very young child to be for more than an hour – the parade is very crowded and one must get there early to get a good seat.  One year, we had the use of an office cubicle of a contact, and were able to watch the parade from inside.  However, being inside is NOTHING like being outside.  The smell of crisp weather and “holidayness” just wasn’t there!  It would have been better to watch the taped version on television!

Luckily for kids this year, the weather is going to be relatively mild for this time of year.  According to the Weather Network, Sunday will be sunny, with an expected high of 10C, well above freezing.  However, the trade off is that the parade will be even more crowded due to the nice weather.  This is a nightmare for both the kids and the adults.  For the kids, it means that it’s more difficult to see.  For the adults, it’s the a nightmare of having to find parking or having to navigate through crowds (the kids don’t really mind this much, I don’t think.  Their one and only purpose of going to the parade is to see Santa Claus!). 

The parade is just the beginning.  Mall Santas will be arriving very soon, and many kids have already drawn up their wish lists, eager to tell Santa what they’d like.